From Warnings to Actions: Factors Influencing Response to Earthquake Early Warning—A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Earthquake early warning (EEW) systems offer critical seconds for protective actions, yet their effectiveness ultimately depends on human interpretation and response. This article presents a systematic literature review of factors shaping public behavior during earthquakes and in response to EEW alerts. Following PRISMA guidelines and the structured approach of Petticrew and Roberts, a comprehensive search was conducted using the Massey University Library Discover platform (1975–2024) and Scopus (1978–2024). Systematic keyword queries targeting EEW, human, and behavioral response dimensions produced 844 records. After duplicate removal and multistage screening, a final set of 45 studies relevant to social aspects of EEW was reviewed and thematically analyzed. The findings demonstrate that behavioral responses to EEW are shaped by interacting demographic, sociocultural, cognitive, and environmental factors. Key influences include age, gender, education, cultural norms, trust, prior experience, perceived efficacy, socioeconomic status, and geographic context. While education and effective risk communication generally strengthen preparedness and protective action, social dynamics, cognitive biases, unequal resource access, and structural constraints can delay or inhibit timely response. The review further reveals a strong geographic concentration of existing research in developed countries, with limited attention to vulnerable contexts, real‐time situational pressures, and decision‐making under extreme time constraints. These findings indicate that EEW effectiveness extends beyond technical performance and requires close integration with social, cultural, and institutional contexts. Advancing EEW practice, therefore, depends on inclusive communication strategies and context‐sensitive system design that better translate warnings into timely, life‐saving action.